Sunday, June 7
Trinity Sunday
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9
Sermon: “Parable of the Sower”
You know the feeling…that feeling that happens as you listen to or read a story, and the realization washes over you: this is really about me! This is just the feeling that Jesus was going for when he shared parable after parable with his disciples. Parables are short stories that shine a light on our lives and help us to see the world a bit differently. They spur us toward change. They reveal who God is. They give us a vision for the world God dreams of. This summer, we invite you not just to read the parables, but to be read by them.
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Sprouts Meeting
9:00 a.m., June and July,
First and Third Sundays
From first smiles to first steps, your little one is growing so fast! We want to help celebrate the joys and carry the concerns wrapped up in caring for your child. Sprouts is a private Zoom meeting for parents and guardians of infants and toddlers to casually get together for sharing and support, hosted by our loving children's ministry staff. Email us at
[email protected]
for the link or for more information.
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Children's Summer Online Sunday School
8:45 a.m. -
This is a special time for our preschoolers where we will have fun learning about God's love through songs and a short story.
9:00 a.m.
- Kindergarten through 5th graders will have a faith lesson, music, and a time to check in with their church friends.
Meeting ID:
402 211 293
Password:
children
Dial-in by Phone:
1-312-626-6799
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Video Worship Service
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. (opens at 10:50 a.m.)
We will go live with a video worship service in the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays accessible through our Zoom worship time, our YouTube Channel at
youtube.com/FUMCAustin
and on our Facebook page at
facebook.com/FUMCAustin.
The video worship includes a traditional worship service from our Sanctuary and lasts about 50 minutes.
Our Interactive Worship on Zoom continues and will include opportunities to connect with one another, share prayer concerns, and view our video worship service together.
Meeting ID: 496 666 774
Password: welcome
Dial-in by Phone: 1-312-626-6799
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Holy Communion
Have you been missing the Sacrament of Holy Communion? So have we! Our Pastors will provide an opportunity to share Communion together on Sunday afternoon, June 7. Sign up to attend one of two brief Communion Services in the FUMC parking lot, where we have devised the safest possible way to share in this Sacrament together. Bread and juice will be individually bagged for each car and distributed when you arrive, and participants will be invited to park in every other spot, joining the service from your tailgate or camping chair behind your car. No, it’s not what we’re used to, but God is present in every circumstance, and God will meet us as we gather around this unusual “table.” Join us! Registration is required. If both services fill, we will add more.
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Conversations on Racial Justice
June 7, 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Zoom
This Sunday, we will continue the conversation with the web series “The Next Question: Imagining How Expansive Racial Justice Can Be,” produced and hosted by Austin Channing Brown. In the episode Brave Together, Brene Brown joins Austin, Chi Chi and Jenny to bring her perspective to the racial realities of this moment in history. What they discover is that Brene's trademark vision of living with vulnerability and courage can bring us forward together. Through an ethic of collective care, wholeheartedness ceases to be a commodity to hoard but a life to be shared. Zoom link provided after registration. Hope to “see” you on Zoom for this continuing conversation!
Register Here
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FEAST/TOAST for Young Adults
Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
All young adults ages 20-45 are invited to join us weekly to check in, share, and connect on Zoom! We'll treat this time as a virtual happy hour.
Meeting ID:
516 485 253
Password:
feast
Dial-in by Phone: 1-312-626-6799
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Stories from people building community and fulfilling the mission of the church in new ways during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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ESL Ministry Adapts on Zoom
By Catherine Bingaman
Our English as a Second Language classes have been, like everyone, adapting to this new life under Coronavirus. We have been holding Zoom classes twice a week for our current and former students. Our students seem to really appreciate the classes to keep their English skills current, but they seem to appreciate them even more for providing a safe and comfortable setting in which to ask questions about what is happening now. For example, many of our students were unsure about the meaning of "shelter in place." Some felt like it meant that they couldn't leave their house at all, even to go outside for a walk. They are even more confused than we are about which things they are allowed to do and which businesses are allowed to open. We have worked to explain those rules to the best of our ability. Their insecurity and fear over what is happening is exacerbated by not understanding the language perfectly. You can imagine what it would feel like to be quarantined in a foreign country where you only partially understood the language. We've had about 35 to 40 participants in each of our Zoom meetings so far. The students have expressed their thanks to the teachers and to the church for providing this service for them. One former ESL student and current Zoom student, who is widowed, had returned to her country for a visit when Coronavirus hit. She is staying in her apartment all alone. She's not sure when or if she'll be able to return to the U.S. She sent us an email thanking us for making her isolation so much better. She looks forward to the twice a week visits with the teachers and students. She says it relieves her worries.
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Meet the Grief Group Facilitators
In preparation for leading Grief Groups for our congregation, trained facilitators have been meeting weekly to share their personal experiences, acknowledging that grief is cumulative over time. Grief is a natural emotion that can sometimes take us hostage in response to loss, but we can recover through faith and allow our grief to help reshape us. While each person processes grief differently, intimate sharing in a community can be a healing balm to those suffering from loss. Listen to our Grief Group facilitators discuss the importance of community in the experience of grief and consider whether joining a group might be right for you. Learn more at
fumcaustin.org/grief
.
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Learning the Parables
Wednesdays, June 10- July 29, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Zoom Online
Dr. Brad King and Lara Greene
Like many Jewish rabbis, Jesus was fond of using parables as a means of getting his audiences to arrive at deeper spiritual truths. Many of Christ's parables were intentionally difficult to understand. In other cases, Jesus was very clear about what he meant, but we have trouble understanding him across so many years of history! Join Dr. Brad King and Lara Greene to explore more deeply with your head and your heart some parables you think you know, and some you have never heard before. This combination class will alternate between the two styles of our teachers and their expertise.
Register online
to receive Zoom link.
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Living the Parables
Meet Barnabas, the FUMC Staff Encourager. This “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36) lives to encourage people through challenging times. When Pastor Taylor mentioned a worship series on the parables this summer, Barnabas offered to help. For the months of June and July, he will provide weekly emails to encourage the congregation and share weekly guides for engaging with the parables in new ways. Don’t miss out! Sign up to receive his emails every Monday, June 8-July 27.
Learn More
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Alternative Gifts for Father's Day
Order Deadline June 15
Fathers can be the hardest to shop for when gift time comes around. This Father’s Day we are encouraging gifts to be used by fathers across the globe as an alternative to the usual standby tie or some other gift item you might purchase. An alternative gift is a perfect way to let the men in your life know they are appreciated. Get started now by selecting the gifts you wish to symbolically give using our online form. Make your online payment from our website. A check can be sent to the church office, marked for Father’s Day, if preferred.
Order Online
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Virus As a Summons to Faith
Thursdays, June 18-July 9, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Zoom Online
Why bother with the interpretive categories of biblical faith when in fact our energy and interest are focused on more immediate matters? The answer is simple and obvious. We linger because, in the midst of our immediate preoccupation with our felt jeopardy and our hope for relief, our imagination does indeed range beyond the immediate to larger, deeper wonderments. Join the retired Reverend John McMullen in exploring Walter Brueggemann's new book,
Virus as a Summons to Faith
, to discuss how our lives are not fully contained in the cause-and-effect reasoning of the Enlightenment that seeks to explain and control. The book is available on Amazon and Cokesbury, and it is highly recommended that you read along. Zoom link shared after registration.
Register Here
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Virtual Talent Show
Saturday, June 27, 2020 6:00 p.m.
Can you tap in heels or do a cartwheel? Draw with great flair or juggle balls in the air? Whatever your talent, you shouldn't be hoarding. The whole church is invited, so get to recording! The FUMC Virtual Talent Show will "air" on Saturday, June 27 at 6:00 p.m. You will have until June 21 to submit your videos. More info on how to submit videos next week. Video submissions should be 3 minutes or less. You may submit as an individual or as a group. Questions? Contact
[email protected]
.
Read More
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Onsite VBS Cancelled
The onsite Vacation Bible School planned for July 26-30, Knights of the North Castle, has been cancelled, although we hope to reuse this curriculum for the summer of 2021. Full refunds will be given to those who have already paid. We will be hosting an online version in July. More details to come. Please email
[email protected]
with any questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you all for your flexibility during this unprecedented time.
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Your Gifts Keep Us Going
Your gifts are a blessing to the ministry of FUMC. It is your donations that keep the church operating during this unique time. We may not be together in person for some time to receive offerings, but it is important we still pay our bills and staff to support and adapt ongoing ministries. You can give online to the ministry of FUMC through our website or by mailing a check to FUMC at 1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701. We appreciate your gifts.
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Story Submissions
Help us build the next issue of
Bolder than the State of Texas
! We are particularly seeking stories about Change and Resurrection. We are open to poetry, essays, photography, or art! Be part of the story this church is telling the world. Submissions accepted continually. Submit your stories online at
fumcaustin.org/bolderthantexas
. For more information, contact Amy Wink and Caroline Jones at
[email protected]
.
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Weekly Prayer & Connection
Wednesdays, 7:30-8:00 p.m.
Meeting ID:
805 144 062
Password:
welcome
Dial-in by Phone:
1-312-626-6799
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Manna Bags Needed
We are seeking assembled Manna Bags to hand out to our hungry neighbors on the street. Officer Shelly, our officer from the Feed My People Breakfast, is helping distribute the Manna Bags where they are needed the most. Completed manna bags may be dropped off at the Family Life Center. Please email Pastor Cathy at
[email protected]
with any questions about items to include and for her phone number to coordinate drop-off. She will unlock the FLC front door remotely. Manna Bag items could include: tuna or chicken lunch kit, peanut butter or cheese cracker sandwiches, Nutri Grain fruit bar, raisins, juice box, socks, and an encouraging message such as "God loves you."
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Submit a Prayer Request
If you have a loved one to lift up, send us your prayer concerns and we will add that person(s) to our prayer list. Prayer requests can be submitted to our pastoral staff using our
online form
or emailed to
[email protected]
.
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Justice for Our Neighbors
Moved by Christ’s love to pursue reconciliation and peace, The United Methodist Church honors the dignity of every individual made in God’s image and is unwilling to turn a blind eye to injustice. This offering supports the peace and justice work of Austin Region Justice for Our Neighbors (ARJFON), a United Methodist-affiliated immigration ministry that welcomes refugees and immigrants into our communities by providing free, high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. As a part of this nationwide effort, ARJFON hosts regular legal clinics to provide affordable immigration legal services to those with limited income. ARJFON’s services are focused on family-based and humanitarian immigration law. Monetary donations may be left at our communion rail or sent to or brought by the church office during the month of June.
Give Online
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Submit a prayer request
online
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Within our Congregation
Teresa Baker, Sandy Bowles, Davis Covin, Frances Crockett, Ken Hensley,
Jim Parker, Mari Perez, Dick Raycraft, Pam Tackett and Dan Wood.
Condolences to Phil Shaw on the death of his son, Phil Shaw III and to Sally Watkins on the death of her friend, Karen Brice.
Encouragement for all graduates, educators, students and parents.
Gratitude for medical care providers, first responders, essential service workers, journalists and our pets.
Concern for the elderly, small business owners, those out of work, migrants separated from their families, for those struggling with mental health issues, and those experiencing homelessness.
Comfort for those who have lost a loved one and are unable to gather to grieve.
Compassion for all those who may be feeling alone or isolated.
Guidance for our local, state, and federal leaders and decision makers.
Beyond our Congregation
Meridith Albright’s niece, Chelsea Carpenter Fogle and great nephew, Townsend Fogle; Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Vicki Baldwin’s cousin, Jan Jones; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Bob Block’s friend, Tim Sullivan; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Cheryl & Mike Ettie’s grandson, Julius James Ettie; Pat Freeman’s daughter, Staci; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Cindy Gunderson’s friends, Alina Mills and Joseph Prete; Mary Higgs’ brother-in-law, Pat Higgs; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Keely Nugent’s second mother, Pam Campbell; Ruby Parker’s sister-in-law, Shirley Kethley; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Whitney Thurman’s father, Dee Monge; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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